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| A-1-8 Chapter of the 4th Infantry Division |
Active Unit News
What our families are hearing:
Bob Babcock - "Deeds not Words"
President, Americans Remembered, Inc. - http://www.americansremembered.org
President, 22nd Inf Regt Society - http://www.22ndinfantry.org
Past President/Historian - Nat'l 4th Inf Div Assn - http://www.4thinfantry.org
babcock224@aol.com
Click to Send us your news
What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) My husband and his buddies really liked the big 12-pack boxes of honey buns I get at Walmart (near the bakery). I was afraid it might get smooshed or melt all the icing off but he said it made it just fine and he could open his own business for all the people asking him if I've sent any more. They also have boxes with several packs of the donut gems (mini donuts) and apple fritters.
2) Thought I would pass on to you the things that my man in C/1-67 AR has asked for, or been thrilled with getting, that I send to him. Included in the list are: Dr Scholl's Gel Cushion Insoles, Desert Boot Laces ($1.00 at www.mrmilitaria.com --free APO shipping!), a self-inflating twin sized air mattress, microwave popcorn, anything microwavable now, snack sized fruit-in-a-cup, M&M's (which melt in your mouth, and not terminally in the mail!), shell-on peanuts, Fritos and bean dip... Among other things... But, most important "non-essential" news I have gotten lately from him is-- STOP sending Gatorade! They are now getting it FREE from the Army! ('Bout time~) (Editor's Note: Confirm with your soldier that he/she is getting plenty of Gatorade before you quit sending it if that's something that has been requested in the past).
3) I received a phone call from my friend in the 3-67 Armor, A Co. on Tuesday night.
He was taking R&R in Qatar. We talked for about an hour and he updated me on
some of the goings on in his area. His main request was mail, anything possible. He also said that news was hard to come by. I am sending these updates along with some newspapers and any other reading material I can get my hands on. He said the down time is the hardest thing, so anything to take his mind off of the situation.
4) My husband called Tuesday a.m. He is with B Co., 588 En.Bn. out of Fort Hood, TX. He sounds in good spirits. He cannot wait to get the halloween treats I sent last week. Loves everything I have been sending, especially our 3 year-old son's artwork. Of course, he can't wait to get home. Just keep counting down the days until April. I am happy for all who are getting a leave, as they all well deserve it. God Bless All the Troops and Their Families!!!
5) My husband (401st MP Co) loves the fruit cups, tuna creations (which are tuna with seasoning in a sealed pouch), and dried fruit.
6) I am responding to the request about what food and snacks we are sending. I sent my son (1/68 AR B Co.) a small microwave, so I send him anything that can be made or heated in the microwave. Such as, Pasta Anytime meals, Dinty Moore meals (turkey and stuffing, chicken and mashed potatoes), Rice Bowls, instant mashed potatoes and canned gravy, canned veggies, canned breast of chicken, campbell's chunky soup (many kinds), hormel chili, Folgers single serving coffee, instant oatmeal for a hot breakfast and of course lots of microwave popcorn.
I also include a variety of disposable bowls, paper plates, napkins and plastic ware and even a pot holder! My son also requests food for sandwiches, since they can get bread, so I send him beef salami, tuna kits, chicken and ham salad kits and peanut butter and jelly. For snacks, I send him Hostess cupcakes and twinkies, Ritz crackers, Cheez Nips, Doritos, salsa, Pringles, nuts, pop tarts, breakfast bars and bubble gum and candy. Once in a while, I add a pack of cigars to enjoy after a good meal they just made themselves. (He really likes that). I hope this helps your readers.
7) My husband is with HHC 1-8, Fort Carson. These are just some of the things I have been sending him since he has been gone. Pasta Anytime, sun chips, crackers and cheese, soda (in zip locks just in case), Dinty Moore meals and cans, condiments, applesauce, puddings, parmesan cheese (you can buy small containers of this), nuts, and soups. I was hoping to give other readers ideas, I have gone with a few wives and shown them these things and also gotten ideas from them. Hope this helps.
8) Some of the things my son has repeatedly asked for are pop tarts, pudding drops, squeezable pudding strips, tostido party bowls (either cheese or salsa) with the canned tortilla chips and entmans or hostess mini breakfast muffins.
9) Bob, I sent my brother-in-law flour tortillas. He said this was one of the best food items he has received. They're a great substitute for bread, and make a wonderful pizza crust. They can be mixed with canned chicken and broth for chicken and dumplings. These packages travel well and keep forever.
10) Here are some suggestions based on the feedback that I received from my son (1-44 ADA): Campbell's chunky soups, fruit cups & applesauce, instant mashed potatoes, cereal with parmalat milk, Pepperidge Farm cinnamon swirl bread, flour tortillas (he makes tuna, turkey and chicken wraps with them), and Bisquick shake and pour pancake mix. Surprisingly enough the tortillas and bread were not only still edible by the time they got to him but they were also a tremendous hit. I just sent him some biscuits that I purchased from Wal-Mart and country style gravy in a can. We'll see how that goes over. I sent my son a camp stove, hot plate, and now a griddle is in the mail. They seem to have all kinds of ways to cook their meals. He really likes going to his buddies' room and cooking up pancakes for all of them.
11) Heard from my son (E/1-10 CAV). Still not sure exactly where he is but think near the border with Iran. Still has been unable to contact his brother with the 101st in Mosul. I just don't get it! He writes that he has had a sore throat but has kept healthy other than that. Says things are good there. He seems very busy. Says all they want us to send is movies. They watch the ones they have over and over! So....I'm hitting Wal Mart tomorrow! We are taping football games for him (Go Hogs!) and sending them over. Now I'd like to hear his voice. He called collect a few weeks ago and we talked for 22 minutes..... I thought that was great! God Bless our Troops!
12) Hi, I heard from my son today who is with Golf Troop, 10th Cav, out of Fort Hood, Texas. He just called to let me know he is ok. He was able to call his father yesterday and me today. He sounded good but tired. He is one of the soldiers who will not be coming home on R&R. I think he was bummed by that but understands that he is single, no kids and no emergencies. I asked him what he wanted for Christmas and he said to come home. I told him if I could get Santa Claus to fly over there in his sleigh and pick him up and bring him home I would! That seemed to lighten the mood and he was laughing again. I am so proud of him. I am so proud of all the soldiers and their families. God Bless them All!!!
13) Other food Items that have been appreciated: Pudding in the tube (heard that first from you), Fruit in little plastic cups/cans, Shelf stable flour tortillas, Canned chicken, Canned tuna, Small individual boxes of various cereals (these come already packaged together), Shelf stable (Parmalat is brand) vit D milk, Oatmeal squares, granola bars, Vienna sausage(can get chicken viennas (can’t send pork), Small packaged condiments- mayo, mustard, texas pete, Chik-fil-A sauces, Arby’s sauces etc, pickle relish packets – always ask for extra at the drive through!, Canned ravioli (small pop top cans), Canned soups with pop top lid,Bread –more sturdy ones like pepperidge farms with long expir date, Peanut butter, Small packages of jelly(like from pancake houses, MacDonalds, etc), Different flavors of drink mixes - not always the same old thing. Don’t forget some plastic utensils and napkins A ‘recipe’ that is good on the run: open canned chicken, put some on a flour tortilla and add your favorite sauce packet. Set it out in the sun for awhile and it is hot. Do the same with canned tuna. My son says that they have about 500 ramen noodle packets between them.
14) I thought I would share some good news with everybody. My son's son was born tonight @ 9:16pm weighing in at 9 lbs 16 oz. and his name is Kristopher Seth.... Proud grandparents.
15) Received a letter from our son (1-67 HHC Baquaba) yesterday dated Sept. 26th. He had just gotten back from R&R in Tikrit. Said it was good to be "home" and back doing missions. He enjoyed the telephones and pool but his friends are here and he has his own bed to sleep in. In the 24 hours since he's been back they have already done 4 missions! Enclosed were 4 pictures of him. Thank you so much for the idea of sending the polaroid camera! Bob, one thing that my son has enjoyed in his care packages are the Dole fruit bowls. They come in mixed fruit, peaches, pears and mandarine orange in plastic containers. I seal them in zip lock plastic bags in case of problems in transit.
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